Persistence pays off for Guard's first female brigadier general

By STEVE VISSER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/05/07

Maria Britt was a lieutenant when she learned prejudice was the most insidious enemy she would face in the Old Army.

It was 1984, and her company commander had been asked to send his best platoon officer to supervise a river crossing during Army exercises at Fort Hood, Texas. He sent Britt.

On her arrival, the requesting officer saw she was a woman and sent her back.

It was a humiliating moment.

"I was mortified," the 45-year-old West Point alumna said Sunday. "I just couldn't believe anybody saying you're not the best because you're a woman.